The financial loss of having a vehicle fire is bad enough and although insurance may compensate for this, nothing can help with the shock and inconvenience that follows even a small fire.

Firefighters attend an average of 500 suspicious vehicle fires in Surrey every year. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service wants to help you to protect your vehicle to ensure that your vehicle doesn’t become one of these statistics.

With a little care and forethought and by following the checklist below, you can reduce the risk of your vehicle being stolen, and being set on fire.

Your 6 point checklist…

oParking - if you have a garage, use it and remember to lock it. When away from home try to park in a well lit open location and when parking in a public car park, look for one that is well supervised with good lighting and security cameras.

Doors and windows - lock the doors, windows, boot and sunroof every time you leave your car, however briefly.

Alarms and immobilisers – if you have an alarm or immobiliser, use it every time you park.

oProperty - do not leave property on display. If you can, take your belongings with you. If you cannot, lock everything out of sight in the boot.

Report abandoned cars to the Police - stolen cars which are abandoned may then be set on fire.

Look after your car – don’t forget 35% of vehicle fires are accidental so help yourself by routinely checking electrics, fuel lines and carrying out other maintenance checks

If you have any information about someone deliberately starting fires then please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. It’s anonymous and you may get a reward.

Also don’t forget you can contact Surrey Fire and Rescue Service’s Arson Task Force for free professional advice on 01737 733680 or visit our website at http://www.surrey-fire.gov.uk/